Question :
What is the ruling on hair transplants and wearing wig by men, and what effect does this have on the laws of Wudu` and Ghusl?
The Answer :
Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Hair transplant is a cosmetic procedure which doesn`t change Allah`s creation; rather, it is treatment to restore what Allah had created.
This is among the contemporary issues that have risen due to scientific and cognitive developments. It is established by jurists that all things are, in principle, lawful as long as there is no prohibition by means of a Sharia text or maxim and there is neither harming nor reciprocating harm.
If the hair transplant meets these conditions, then it is permissible. Regarding cosmetic surgery, Resolution No. (173/2007) issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy states: "It is permissible to do cosmetic surgery, which is daruriyyah (Necessities) and hajiyyah (Comforts, as being complementary or secondary to necessities), such as removing an urgent defect due to a burn, an accident, a disease and the like. For example, skin grafts and hair transplant for women suffering from hair loss."
Therefore, it is permissible for a person to do hair transplant using his or her own hair. Resolution No. (26/1988) issued by the International Islamic Fiqh Academy states, "It is permissible to move an organ from one place to another in the same body so long as the benefit expected from this procedure outweighs the harm resulting from it. This is also provided that the aim is to bring back a missing organ or remove a defect causing physical or psychological harm."
There is no sin on a man or woman for wearing a wig under the condition that it isn`t made from human or impure hair, and it isn`t used as means of fraud and deception making an old person look younger.
As for the laws of Wudu` and Ghusl, if the hair transplant covers a portion of the skin then this renders Ghusl invalid because the water must reach all parts of the body. However, if the hair follicles don`t cover any portion of the skin, then this doesn`t render the Ghusl or Wudu` invalid.
Moreover, similar to wiping over a turban, wiping over a wig invalidates Wudu` because it isn`t considered part of the head. Kindly refer to An-Nawawie`s book {Rawdat At-Talibeen, V.1: P.60}. And Allah the Almighty knows best.